Preview: UFC Fight Night 204 ‘Volkov vs. Aspinall’

Lightweights

NR | Paddy Pimblett (17-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. NR | Rodrigo Vargas (12-4, 1-2 UFC)

ODDS: Pimblett (-450), Vargas (+340)

Pimblett’s UFC debut sure was something. “The Baddy” had been talked about as a potential signing for years, owing to the Liverpool native’s exciting fight style and gift of gab, but Pimblett did not put pen to paper until 2021. That looks to have been a smart move, as Pimblett is clearly in better form than he was a few years ago, particularly in terms of filling out his body and adding some physical strength. That has helped the wrestling and grappling game that serves as the core of Pimblett’s strengths, though that did not get him much of anywhere in that UFC debut against Luigi Vendramini. Instead, the two mostly engaged in a firefight, with Pimblett getting cracked before returning the favor and finishing the fight in about four and a half minutes. Pimblett figures to be an electric fighter going forward, win or lose. He is capable of overwhelming his opponents on the feet or the mat, and his lack of defense to complement his aggressive striking only adds to the odds of a spectacular knockout. He will have a willing dance partner in front of the London faithful in Rodrigo Vargas, who has about the game you would expect of a steady veteran based out of Mexico. At this point in his career, Vargas can do a bit of everything well, with enough wrestling to get by at the regional level and the lower levels of the UFC. Vargas definitely has the knockout power to spoil Pimblett’s return to England, but he is the much slower fighter; and Pimblett should also be able to successfully get this fight to the ground. The pick is Pimblett via first-round submission.

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